United Kingdom (UK)-based Internet of Things (IoT) firm Eseye has appointed a locally-based regional director for Africa as it looks to expand its operations on the continent.

Founded in 2007, Eseye is a global provider of M2M cellular connectivity for IoT. Its aim is to simplify complex global device deployments for enterprises seeking to realise the cost-saving, efficiency-driving, product-innovating and data-enhancing opportunities of over-the-air M2M IoT.

The company has over 1.4 million managed global devices in 160 countries, and over 900 customers. It is becoming increasingly active in Africa, one of its most important customers being M-KOPA Solar, and has now appointed Jeremy Potgieter to head up operations on the continent from Johannesburg.

Potgieter said Eseye plans to continue to expand its connectivity solutions across Africa.

"We target M2M contracts and projects that range from commercial provision, including banking and retail, to innovative often smaller and remote projects such as off-grid solar, clean water provision, sanitation and rural weather forecasting," he said.

Eseye has recently released a host of new products, including the new AnyNet Secure SIM, which was launched with AWS Cloud Services in December and delivers secure managed cellular connectivity across all devices and a proprietary global network-of-networks.

It also offers customers the freedom to roam across a number of international mobile network partnerships via its AnyNet and AnyNet Secure multi-IMSI/Operator SIMs, while its Dataflex Hera range of M2M router products helps system integrators and service providers develop and manage wireless machine to machine applications.

Potgieter said the company had been active in Africa since inception, primarily in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, but was looking to increase its footprint.

"A key point to note is that in Africa the deployment and utilisation of cellular connectivity between devices bypasses the need for costly infrastructure. Arguably this puts Africa ahead of the game in the way it is creatively and thoughtfully enabling service provision for even the most remote or disempowered members of its communities," he said.

"By appointing local representation in the SADC region, Eseye has reinforced its commitment to growing the IoT landscape in Africa. With a strategic focus on enhancing the end-to-end IoT value proposition to all segment verticals, it is rapidly making inroads."

Potgieter believes IoT is an amazing advancement that has the ability to fundamentally change the landscape of data communications and utilisation.

"IoT has the potential to solve many of the issues the continent is currently facing. Many African countries have embarked on the IoT journey," he said.

"The potential is limitless and as data mining increases the better we are positioned to provide new and exciting products that will impact on the way we do things."